Royals Match Report 2003-04

Magpies Turn on the Style and Get Back to Winning Ways.

Orleton 0-8 Church Stretton
(Smith 5, Carless-Turland 2, Riley) (League - 25-01-04)

A first half hatrick in 13 minutes by Rory Smith saw Magpies on their way to convincingly beat Orleton 8-0, on a fine winter morning. The match saw Dominic Robinson being selected for the first team for his first cap, after impressing for the reserves and performing well in training.

Harvey Carless-Turland paired Rory Smith upfront and they showed that they have a good understanding of each other on the pitch.

Magpies started off strongly and after only 4 minutes Rory Smith pounced on a poor clearance to score the first of his 5 goals. Magpies looked dangerous every time they broke out of defence, with both Michael Brayne and Simon Riley making things very difficult for the Orleton forwards.

Some excellent clearances forward enabled Harvey Carless-Turland to use his pace on the left wing and whip in some crosses towards Rory Smith in the middle, resulting in two more Rory Smith goals by 13 minutes.

A powerful run forward on 15 minutes by Michael Brayne from deep within his own half saw him come close, but after he had beaten 2 players he failed to hit the target.

The closest Orleton came to scoring was when Ed Groom, who was largely untroubled for most of the match pulled off what has to be the save of the season so far, diving low to his left and preventing a certain goal, when it looked bound for the back of the net.

A fine solo run from within his own half by Harvey Carless-Turland on 16 minutes, saw him steal past 2 defenders and with only the goalkeeper to beat rifled it home to make it 4-0. One more each from both forwards saw Magpies go in at half time 6-0 to the good.

For the start of the second half Joe Hearle replaced Harvey Carless-Turland, and Dominic Robinson came on for his first experience of League football, replacing Simon Riley.

The second half saw more long periods of possession, with Dominic Robinson slotting in well alongside the experienced Michael Brayne. Joe Hearle soon found his favourite position wide on the right, using his strength and pace to get round the Orleton defence.

10 minutes into the second half Rory Smith broke away from his marker and with only the keeper to beat coolly put it passed him for his 5th goal.

With 5 minutes to go Harvey Carless-Turland replaced Rory Smith and Simon Riley replaced Michael Brayne and a mix up by the two Magpies attackers saw the ball being cleared by Orleton, but falling to the feet of Simon Riley, who shot first time to make it 8-0.

An excellent performance by the team, probably the best of the season so far and a thoroughly deserved 3 points.

Team: Ed Groom, Michael Brayne, Simon Riley, Rory Smith , Harvey Carless-Turland. Subs: Joe Hearle, Dominic Robinson.